The midsized crossover segment is still enjoying a healthy growth pace, increasing sales 11% in the first three quarters of 2014, as 14 models in the top-20 have sold more units than they did in the same period last year.

The first model to lose sales is the Nissan Qashqai which has suffered from a model change-over to its second generation. I had expected the new model to have picked up the pace by now and to have returned into positive territory by now, but it has fallen below 20% segment share instead. Considering the last quarter of the year is traditionally the slowest, the Qashqai may fall below the 200.000 annual sales mark for the first time since 2009. But even if it does so, it won’t be by more than 5.000 units. Perhaps the successful introduction of the 7-seater Nissan X-Trail as a replacement to both the outgoing X-Trail and the extended wheelbase Qashqai+2 is hurting sales of its smaller sibling. The X-Trail has already more than doubled its volume of last year and was up into 13th place in September, ready to move past the C4 Aircross and Forester by the end of the year. [Read more…]

The success of small crossovers is not hurting sales of midsized models, as these types of vehicles enjoyed an increase of 10% in the first half of 2014, exactly the same growth rate of compact cars, the segment most buyers of these vehicles are expected to switch away from.

The new generation Nissan Qashqai, the traditional leader of the segment, has helped the model reduce its sales decline to just 3%, which will undoubtedly be turned into a sales increase by the next quarter, let alone by the end of the year. The Qashqai is on its way to a record year, breaking the 208.649 units it sold in 2011, the second of four consecutive years (and counting) above the 200.000 mark.

The Volkswagen Tiguan continues to impress and is enjoying its best first half ever, which means 2014 could be a record year for the already 7-year-old model. [Read more…]

Sales of midsized crossovers and SUVs in Europe keep on growing, up another 8% in the first three months of 2014. And underscoring the stability of the segment, the top 5 ranking is stable, with the Nissan Qashqai still firm in the lead, despite sales down 13% due to run-out mode for the outgoing model while deliveries of the new generation have just started. This new generation will undoubtedly keep the British-built crossover in first position for the full year, and get it back into positive territory as well, selling over 200.000 units for the fifth straight year.

Surprisingly, the already over 6 years old Volkswagen Tiguan manages to outperform the market at +15% to stay in second position, well above its South-Korean competitors Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35, both being updated this year with minor exterior changes and more fuel efficient engines. The Ford Kuga is the biggest gainer in the top 5, fighting off the still charging Mazda CX-5 which manages to increase it sales by over a third after already almost doubling last year. The CX-5 has therefore moved up the charts from 11th position in 2012 to 6th in the first quarter of 2014. [Read more…]

The midsized SUV segment remains stable, growing just 1% in 2013, which still compares favorably to an overall-market decline of 2%.

No surprises for the top two spots, as the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan remain firmly in place.

The Qashqai is due to be replaced this year, and will undoubtedly hold on to the top spot again, possibly topping 200.000 annual sales for the fifth consecutive year.

Behind the Tiguan, the Kia Sportage has leapfrogged its cousin Hyundai ix35, but the biggest increase comes from the Mazda CX-5, almost doubling its 2012 sales and moving from #11 to 7th place.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has also shown great gains, thanks to sales of the PHEV Plug-In Hybrid version, which sold over 8.000 units in The Netherlands, where government incentives on EV’s and Plug-in hybrids have had a huge effect on the sales charts. The Outlander PHEV will become available for the rest of Europe this year, so it may give the otherwise totally uninspiring SUV another boost for 2014. [Read more…]

The midsized SUV segment remains stable, growing just 1% in the first three quarters of 2013 compared to the same period last year. The fourth largest segment in Europe has a clear number one and number two, but there’s heavy competition for the other places in the top 10.

Soon-to-be-replaced Nissan Qashqai leaves the rest of the industry wondering when its sales momentum will come to an end, but for the first 9 months of 2013, its sales have remained virtually flat. The new generation will be introduced next month, a 7-seater to replace the Qashqai+2 is not planned, as Nissan will replace the body-on-frame X-trail with a crossover that is identical to the US Nissan Rogue, which will cater customers who need more seats. The new design will move X-Trail back up the ladder as well, increasing the Asian stranglehold on the segment.

The new generation Ford Kuga, similar to the US Escape, is unable to match the Korean’s sales pace, while Skoda Yeti should improve on a recent facelift to defend it against new generations of the Japanese competition. Mazda CX-5 is making waves, doubling its sales of last year, while model changes of Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have brought added interest into their showrooms. By year end, RAV4 will likely have passed CR-V again, as Toyota deliveries gain some momentum. [Read more…]